Come behind-the-scenes at the Tinkuy de Tejedores, (The Gathering of Weavers), which took place Nov. 12-15, 2013 in Cusco, Peru. Today’s special highlights the highland community of Accha Alta, which is north of Cusco by a few hours, and the celebration of the CTTC community elders.

Accha Alta Weavers

The weavers of Accha Alta are distinctive in their bold, vibrant red patterning of their textiles, dyed with cochineal. Mantas are worn by women and ponchos by men. They are also well known for the knitting of “bobble” hats. These special hats, generally made for children, are decorated with textural popcorns (qurpu).

Weavers from the Peruvian Highlands viewing the portraits of the Elders.

The daughter of Acopia elder Jeronima Jancco Futuri poses in front of the photo of her mother.

An exhibit of the Elders portraits from this book will open at Joe Coca’s photography studio in Fort Collins, CO this Friday Dec 6, 2013 from 5-9 p.m. It runs through Dec 12 from 11-6 p.m. ClothRoads will also be hosting a sale of global artisan textiles with a special emphasis on the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, Peru. Address: Joe Coca Photography, 429 E Magnolia, Fort Collins CO 80524.

About ClothRoads

Travel with us on ClothRoads to a world of authentic textile culture. Here you’ll find folk and collectible textiles, accessories, fabric, and fiber art materials from many corners of the globe, along with fascinating stories of indigenous artisans and ancient techniques used in traditional and modern ways. From the rivers of India to the mountaintops of Peru, we go directly to villages and cooperatives to bring you these textile stories and the work of skilled artisans who are dyeing, weaving, spinning, printing and embroidering some of world’s most beautiful objects. When you purchase from ClothRoads, you help us to build and develop new markets that allow artisans and communities, especially women and girls, to flourish.